Keep Asking Questions: How Service Helped Me Grow as a Leader
Finding Your Voice Through Curiosity, Service, and Mentorship
I ask a lot of questions. I want to understand how things work, why decisions are made, and what people need. That curiosity has followed me through volunteering, public service, and my work with AmeriCorps members. It has also helped me become more comfortable sharing what I have learned.
Growing up between the United States and Guanajuato, Mexico, gave me experience moving between cultures and perspectives. Even so, I've faced plenty of unfamiliar situations in my personal and professional life. I have relied on mentors who were patient enough to explain things, answer questions, and help me see things differently. Their willingness to make time for me shaped the way I try to support others today.
My years volunteering with Habitat for Humanity gave me opportunities to learn through service. Working alongside others helped me understand how people with different experiences can contribute to a shared goal. It also deepened my commitment to affordable housing and community involvement.
Today, as a Dacono City Council Member, volunteer, and AmeriCorps Manager at Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley, I continue to learn from the people around me. Each role carries responsibilities that require preparation, listening, and a willingness to ask for guidance.
In 2025, I spoke before an audience of 430 people at Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C. I was both nervous and excited. Speaking about work I care deeply about challenged me to trust that my experience was worth sharing. It reminded me that I could feel nervous and still take the next step.
In 2026, I presented at Habitat for Humanity’s international conference on helping volunteers, donors, homeowners, and community members become advocates for affordable housing. Both opportunities allowed me to share what service has taught me while continuing to grow as a public speaker.
One experience that helped me recognize my own growth was supervising an AmeriCorps member who was hesitant to make decisions and speak in public. Supporting her made me think about the encouragement I had received when I was unsure of myself.
I understood that being her mentor meant taking her concerns seriously, making time for questions, and giving her opportunities to practice. It also meant letting her make decisions and build confidence in her own judgment. That takes patience. When someone comes to you for help, it can be tempting to provide an answer immediately. Sometimes, a useful first step is to ask what she thinks and listen to her reasoning.
That experience helped me recognize that I had knowledge worth sharing, even as I continued learning myself. It also made me more aware of the responsibility that comes with someone trusting you. Your words, your attention, and the way you respond to uncertainty can affect whether she feels comfortable asking for help again.
For women stepping into a new role, I would encourage you to ask the question you are holding back. Find people who will give you honest guidance. Take time to prepare, and give yourself room to learn through experience.
As you grow, remember the people who helped you along the way. Offer that same patience to someone else. Explain the unfamiliar process. Invite her perspective. Help her prepare for an opportunity, then give her room to take it.
My faith, family, and mentors continue to support my growth. I still have questions, and I expect I always will. I hope the women I mentor feel comfortable bringing theirs to me, too.
